A 2000 BABY MAKES DEBUT

Nine months ago, couples studied calendars and carefully timed their nocturnal activities, hoping to claim the notoriety of bearing the first baby of the year 2000.

They didn't succeed. The honor in Palm Beach County went to hotel worker Marie Dominique and her fiance, electrician Jean Lauredent, who paid little heed to the hype.

"We don't think too much about it," Lauredent said. "I was just happy because she made the delivery and is healthy."

The official clock on the wall said 12:00:45 a.m. Saturday -- 45 seconds into the new year -- when the Lake Park couple gave the world Shirley Lauredent, all of 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and 19 inches long.

The birth at Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee came this close to being the first in South Florida. But Dominique and Lauredent were edged out by a Davie couple, Gary and Lisa Walker, who had baby Jake Anthony Naylor Walker at 33 seconds past midnight at Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines. It's possible but not certain that Jake was the first baby born in the continental United States. No one officially keeps track.

Dominique was not expecting to spend her New Year's Eve in labor. She was not due until Jan. 9. But about 2 p.m., she was having contractions strong enough to go to the hospital.

Once in the delivery room, with the clock marching toward midnight and a television showing the celebration in Times Square, Lauredent said they started thinking about having a noteworthy time of birth.

"A lot of people said when the baby comes on the first day of the new year, they are going to give you some gifts, and they are going to be happy," he said.

It turns out that few if any presents were waiting. Palms West had no plans to give them savings bonds, free diapers or gift certificates, a hospital spokeswoman said.

It didn't matter to the happy parents. They spent the day cuddling and feeding their new bundle and showing her off to friends, family and her big brother, Hilberson, 18 months old.

"She does not cry too much," Lauredent said. "She seems like a very good baby."

Bob LaMendola can be reached at blamendola@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4526.